Air Milford to offer Queenstown-Te Anau flights

Air Milford has announced it will begin weekly scheduled flights between Te Anau and Queenstown next year to test the appetite for a regular commuter service. Operations Manager Antony Sproull said the trial service would begin on Saturday January 14, and will run every Saturday for 12 weeks through the peak tourist season for a special trial price of $99 per person. We believe the timing is ripe to re-launch this service — the first since Mt Cook Airlines cut the link over 16 years ago," he said. "My father, Hank (Air Milford CEO), worked for Mt Cook Airline for 30 years so knows the pros and cons of this connection intimately.' 'The tourism scene has never been busier in Queenstown or Te Anau. If Mt Cook Airline could justify 44-seat aircraft, then we should have no trouble filling our four-to-12 seat machines.' Air Milford operates a fleet of five aircraft including three Cessna Caravans, the latest of which was flown to New Zealand, brand new from the Cessna Factory in USA, by Air Milford's Chief Pilot in January this year Mr Sproull said a feasibility study into the proposed service highlighted increasing frustrations with the road trip which used to be travelled comfortably in under two hours but with increased traffic and congestion at the Kawarau Bridge often took significantly longer. Flying between the two locations took 25 minutes and those planning onward flights would also save on airport parking fees. To launch the new service, an open day is planned at Te Anau Manapouri Airport between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday December 17. Fiordland locals can enjoy scenic flights in the new Cessna Caravan in return for a donation to a local charity, while children fly free with accompanying adults. 

Source : Advocate South, 8 December 2016